Eleanor Oliphant is fine. At least, she knows that's what she's supposed to say if anyone asks. Socially acceptable behavior doesn't come naturally to her. She's been alone for almost as long as she can remember, but it's fine. People are all mean, irrational dullards who mock her behind her back anyway, so she doesn't need them. She works all day in accounts receivable, and then she goes home and chugs vodka until the voices in her head quiet down enough for her to pass out. That's been her life for years. And, if anyone asks, she's fine.
Then, one day, her life changes. She watches a musician perform at a work event, and it's love at first sight. She just has to make herself into wifely material first, and surely the second he meets her, he'll propose. Meanwhile, her office has a new IT guy, Raymond, and he's one of the least pleasant men Eleanor has ever met. He's overweight, with sloppy clothes and eating habits, and he walks weirdly. But for some reason he keeps talking to her. And for some reason... that's completely fine.
Will Eleanor marry the musician? Will she let Raymond be her friend? Will she finally let herself remember the horrors of her past? Find out in this veritable roller coaster of emotions. It's a surprisingly dark, sometimes funny, completely heartwarming read. I highly recommend the audiobook, because the reader is absolutely fantastic.
Kaz Brekker is a dangerous man. He's called “Dirtyhands” because no crime is too vicious or immoral for him, for the right price. One day he is approached with an offer he can’t refuse: gather an elite group of thieves and con artists, travel to the faraway Ice Court, and free one prisoner. It sounds straightforward enough, but no one has ever infiltrated the Ice Court, an impenetrable frozen fortress, and escaped with their lives. The prisoner they must free is the inventor of a substance that turns the Grisha-- people naturally capable of small, simple magics-- into crazed, all-powerful gods of destruction. If they succeed, they will be rich beyond their wildest fantasies. If they fail, they will die. But criminals like Kaz just love to gamble…
Six of Crows is a young adult fantasy heist book with a sizable cast of extremely fun characters, all with elaborate backstories and motivations. There’s Inej, the girl who can move like a shadow, and Matthias, a former Ice Court soldier who longs to return to his old life, as well as Nina, the Grisha who fought, fell in love with, and betrayed Matthias years ago. Their complex interactions make the book very engaging, and the plot really rolls along once it gets going. If a fantasy heist book sounds appealing to you, and you don’t mind keeping track of six characters at a time, it’s a great adventure. If you enjoy it, make sure to get the sequel, Crooked Kingdom. You might also want to check out Bardugo's Grisha trilogy, which takes place in the same world. If you're looking for a more adult fantasy heist book, try the Gentleman Bastard series as well.
In Beartown, hockey is life. All hopes, dreams, and aspirations for the little town's revival lie in the upcoming semi-final match, which will hopefully lead to a final match and, ultimately, a win. In just a few more games, Beartown could be transformed. No longer would it be a declining, secluded, forgettable place. Instead, it would be reborn as a major hockey destination. Perhaps there would be a new ice arena, or new sponsors would swarm the city. As a reader, you root for the young men, seventeen year old boys, who could make this happen. They are so close to victory. Then, one day, something happens. An incident occurs. And this incident, even though it happens outside the hockey arena, turns out to be the real game changer.
While Beartown is a book about hockey, the reader does not need to be a hockey fan to appreciate the story. The first chapter piques curiosity right away. The characters are excellently fleshed out, and the story is very timely, especially with current events regarding harassment, rape, and the
treatment of women. If A Man Called Ove made you into a Backman fan, then this is one you won't want to miss.
Abby has belonged to the Church of Apocalyptic Faith for so long she can barely remember her life before, except for living in a car with her mom and going hungry. However, her small community of faith is not as idyllic as it appears. Abby wants out, but leaving the Church isn't easy. If caught fleeing, she could be killed... or worse.
Luc, the grape grower next door, just wants to be left alone with his vines. He keeps to himself and in return has no problems with his strange neighbors. But when Abby lands on his doorstep, something in her eyes won't let him turn her away. And just like that, he's in the middle of a war with the Church during the worst snowstorm he's ever seen, all while falling for a woman he's just met.
This is the third book in the Blank Canvas series. Each story is a standalone, but there are some spoilers if you read them out of order. Adriana Anders's books are all in paperback only, but she isn't your average mass-market paperback writer. While her novels are definitely romances, they also touch on very deep, serious subject matters. In His Hands takes you inside an apocalyptic cult, bringing light to all its blessings and evils. Anders's writing style is engrossing, but it does use a vast vocabulary-- I had to look up a few words in the dictionary! I highly recommend this entire series, and I can't wait to read her other works!
